Authorities are trying to help a sperm whale that beached on a sandbar off Florida’s Gulf Coast, but conditions in the water are preventing crews from getting near it. The Venice Police Department said in a Facebook post Sunday that the whale was alive Sunday afternoon after it became stranded in waters about 75 miles south of Tampa. Venice Police said wildlife officials couldn't reach the whale to administer a sedative by Sunday afternoon. It said they would assess conditions again at low tide Sunday evening but signaled hopes of aiding the whale were dwindling. Police said they would keep up a presence at the beaching site overnight.
